- The archives are an easy way for browsing subjects.Dec. 27, 2011Bio. Henry J. Kinney (1863-?)-- Mr. Kinney was born in Bay Co., MI, and raised on the farm of his father, Thomas. For a number of years he was sheriff of Bay County, and also, owned a livery and boarding business in Bay City. He was married to Marie Mooney.

-- The Hecla company built a huge manufacturing facilites in Bay City, which was located just south of the lighthouse on the west side of the river.

Heritage Library/ {View}Dec. 23, 2011Bio.: Isabelle A. Ballou (1873-1853)-- Isabelle, was born in Kawkawlin to Dexter and Moly (Fitzhugh) Ballou. When three years old the family moved to Bay City, where Isabelle taught school, afterward was librarian for 27 years.

-- Raymond, a prominent teacher and lawyer of Detroit, was born in Bay City, where he worked in his father's business, before attending the Univ. of Michigan. He is a descendant of Timothy Corbin, who served in the American Revolutionary War.

Heritage Library/ {View]Dec. 12, 2011Bio.: Elizabeth P. (Fitzhugh) Birney (1803-1869).-- Elizabeth, the second wife of James G. Birney II, was born in New York, to William F. and Ann (Hughes) Fitzhugh. She came to Bay City with her husband in 1842, at which time it new pioneer settlement. She had two children, a son Fitzhugh and a daughter Anna. She returned to New York a few years after James' death in 1857, she is and buried with her husband in Williamsburg Cemetery at Groveland, NY.

-- Article by Capt. Dan Manyen on the progress that has been made which has dramatically improved fishing on Saginaw and Tittabawassee rivers located in Saginaw Bay area of Michigan. The Capt. includes some tips on how to land the big ones.

Bay-Journal Publishingy/ {View]Dec. 1, 2011Frederick Barclay (1841-1903)-- Mr. Barclay, the son of Jonathan S. and Sarah A. (Sweeney) Barclay, was born in Albion, Mich., and came to Bay City when 8 years old, where he later worked as a tug boat captain. He served in the Navy during the Civil War and was married to Mary J. Plumsteel.

Heritage Library/ {View]Aug. 21, 2011Peter Wells Aldrich (1834-1909)-- Mr. Aldrich was born in N.Y., and came to Michigan with his parent settling in Clinton Co., where he was deputy sheriff, and later deputy sheriff in Saginaw. He then moved to Bay City where he owned a pump and cistern business. He married Sarah Ives.

Heritage Library/ {View]Aug. 21, 2011John Coryell (1843-1905)-- Mr. Coryell was born New Market, Ontario, and came to Bay City in 1863, where he married Elizabeth Carnell; that same year he moved Petriolia, Ont., to partake in the oil boom there, and where his son Charles was born. He returned to Bay City in 1866, and entered into the salt well boring business.

Heritage Library/ {View]Aug. 20, 2011William M. Brock (1850-1920)-- Mr. Brock was born in Ontario, and came to Bay City in 1868, where he was salt well boring business. He marrried in 1873, to Mary A. Cornwell. In later years they moved to the state of Washington.

-- Mr. Yawkey, one of the lumber barons of the Saginaw Valley, was born in Massillon, OH. On moving to Michigan he settled in Flint, then East Saginaw, before taking up residence in Bay City. In later years he move to Detroit, and prior to his death in 1903 had just purchased the Detroit Tigers. He was married to Emma Noyes, of VT.

-- Dr. Carrow was born at Kent Co., MD. He receive his medical education attending schools in U.S. and Europe. His first practice was in Canton, China, then at Bay City, MI. Later he became a professor at Univ. of Michigan, and afteward set up a practice in Detroit. He was married twice: Teresa England and Kate Withington.

-- Mr. Wentworth was born at Hope, Knox Co., Maine, and as a young man moved to Michigan, settling on a farm in Tuscola Co., then later, at Bay City where he entered the lumber business, and was a director of the Bay City Bank. His lumbering intersts expanded later into western states. He was married twice: Sophronia Merrill and Susan Teller.

-- Mr. Bigelow was born near Detroit, Mich., where he learn the lumber business from his father. Later, in 1901 he entered the lumber business of his own, in partnership with David M. Kneeland at Bay City under the name of Kneeland-Bigelow Co. The company specialized the manufacture of wood products, and prospered to the point they were among the largest wood manufacturers in the country.

Heritage Library/ {View]July 24, 2011David M. Kneeland (1861-1915)-- Mr. Kneeland was born in New York, and as a young boy moved to Wiscosin with his parents. He eventually entered and propered in the lumber business. In 1901 he partnered with Charles A. Bigelow and established the Kneeland-Bigelow Co., in Bay City, Mich., which became on of the largest wood manufacturers in the country.

Heritage Library/ {View]July 24, 2011The Kneeland-Bigelow Company.-- The Kneeland-Bigelow Company was establish in 1901, at Bay City, Mich., by David M. Kneeland and Charles A. Bigelow. The company manufactured wood products, such as hardwood flooring. The company expanded over time owning several other wood related companies, to the point that it was one of largest in the country.

-- Mr. Jackson, a former mayor of Bay City, Mich., was born in Algonac, St. Clair Co., Mich. He came to Bay City in 1877, entering into the lumber business of his Uncle Gurdon K. Jackson, and later established his own business as a lumber dealer. In 1883 he married Imogene Ramsdell, of Clarence, Erie Co., NY.

Heritage Library/ {View]July 21, 2011Gurdon K. Jackson (1840-1899)-- Gurdon Jackson was born in Algonac, St. Clair Co., Mich., and came to Bay City in 1863, where he entered the lumber dealing business, which later on, include a fleet of vessels for hauling lumber to major cities. He was also an officer for two banks. His nephew, George D. Jackson, was a mayor of Bay City. Gurdon married Cornelia Swartout, of Algonac.

Heritage Library/ {View]July 20, 2011Frank L. Bateman (1850-?)-- Mr. Bateman was born in Dansville, N.Y., and came to Michigan with his parents in 1886. His first work was with the railroads, then in 1886 he enter the cigar business at Bay City in partnership with Mr. Beebe, Edward Braddock, and later he also purchased drug store located in the Aster House block on Harrison St. He married Miss Frankie Dunn.

Heritage Library/ {View]July 14, 2011Video: Garber Heritage House Museum.-- The Garber Heritage House Museum, located at 305 Pine St., in Essexville, MI, was erected in 1874 by John Garber, where he and his wife, Milissa Collar, raised nine children. The video tour of the house is provided by Patricia Anspaugh.

Heritage Library/ {View]July 7, 2011William N. Armstrongy (1866-1921).-- William was born in St. Clair, Mich., and raised in Bay City where his father Capt. Richard owned a vessel business, and where William worked during his early years. After the decline in his father's business he moved to Seattle, WA. In addition William mine for gold in Alaska, and was a member of Cook's second epedition to Mt. McKinley. He married Minnie Lahman. Their son Robert became a Hollywood movie star.

Heritage Libraary/ {View]July 6, 2011Hon. Edwin Eddy (1817-1891).-- Edwin was born Eddington, Penobscot, Maine, and married Celia W. Eddy in 1840. They settled in Saginaw, Mich. in 1840, where Edwin enter the lumbering busiess. Two of his sons, Charles and Selwyn also engage in lumbering. The Eddy and Avery families of this had several business partnerships in Bay City and Saginaw.

Heritage Libraary/ {View]July 1, 2011Bay City's Remarkable Armstrong Family.-- Article -- Just recently, new discoveries have been made about the descendants of Richard and Harriet (Scott) Armstrong, who lived in Bay City for nearly 30 years during the late 1800s, where Richard owned a vessel business. Each of their three sons, and a grandson, went on to become quite will known and successful as an explorer, playwright, artist and actor.

Bay-Journal Publishing/ {View]June 25, 2011Algernon Sidney Munger (1821-1899)-- Algernon was born in Bergen, Genesee Co., N.Y. He and his brother Curtis were among the early pioneers of Bay City. Both were prominent business men, including directors of the Portsmouth Salt Co., Algernon was also mayor of Bay City, owned the Munger Block, help construct the first railroad between Bay City and East Saginaw, and help puu the community of Munger, in Merritt township on the map.

Heriage Library{View}June 24, 2011The Braddock Family of Essex, CT.-- Members of the Braddock family were among the early pioneers of Bay City, having come here in the 1850s settling in the village of Portsmouth, now the south end of Bay City. They were into lumering, sale making, salt manufacturing, general merchandise. Nearly half of the first members of the Baptist church were Braddocks. Included are separate histories for Asahel C., and Edward B. Braddock.

June 22, 2011John C. Weadock (1860-?).-- John was born at St. Mary's, Ohio, son of Lewis and Mary (Cullen) Weadock, imigrants from Ireland. John was the youngest brother of Thomas A.E. Weadock, former mayor of Bay City. The two were in a law partnership in Bay City, MI. John married Helena Bretch, of Landing.

Heritage Library/ {View]June 22, 2011Lewis J. Weadock (1882-1955).-- Lewis was born in Bay City, MI, son of Thomas A.E. and Mary (Tarsney) Weadock. The father being a lawyer and former mayor of Bay City. Lewis followed in his father's footsteps, graduating from the University of Michigan, and afterwards practicing law in Bay City. He married Gertrude Greening, whose mother was Josephine A. Tromble, a daughter of Medor and Sarah (McCormick) Tromble, early settlers in Bay City.

-- Mr. Garber was born in Schuykill, Pa., and as a young man moved to Ohio where he met and married Melissa Collar. In the late 1860s they moved to Bay County, Mich., where John worked as an engineer at the J.H. Hall mill, in Essexville, and later owned a large farm. Their farm property is now the location ofr two Garber Schools and the Garber Heritage House Museum.

-- Long hours and low pay was a constant complaint among the mill workers for many years, which lead to a long strike against mill owners in the Saginaw Valley, in the summer of 1885. It got national attention as the valley was a key source of lumber products across the country.

-- Mr. Mandley was born at Kirland, Ohio. He served in the Civil War and was wounded during action with the 29th Ohio Volunteers. Afterward he located in Arenac, then Bay City, MI. He married Anna Hess, of Hamilton, Canada.

-- Contributed by Lauren Chouinard. Added article to history page of George "Kid" Lavigne, World Light-Weight Champion, who was born in West Bay City. In 1841, Fight Comic magazine published a comic strip on Lavigne's life story and boxing career.

-- Eddy was born in Bradley, Maine. In 1864, he moved to Saginaw, Mich., and later to Bay City, where he and his brothers established the Eddy Bros & Co., lumbering business. Later on, he was associated with businesses in Everett, Wash., and Cleveland, Ohio. He married Harriet Lane, at Bay City.

Heritage Library/ {View]May 16, 2011Shipbuilding In Bay City, 1875.-- A brief history from the year 1875 about Bay City growing shipbuilding, which includes the shipyards of Ballentine, Davidson and Hitchcock.

Heritage Library/ {View]May 16, 2011Biography: Nelson Briggs Dolsen (1864-?).-- Mr. Dolsen, born in Canada, moved to Bay City when two years old, where his father John L. was in the lumber business, where Nelson work until 1887, at which time he moved West. He eventually settled in Nebraska, where he remained in lumbering. He was married to Josephine Milliman, of Illinois.

Heritage Library/ {View]May 10, 2011Biography: Edwin Milo Eddy (1877-?).-- Mr. Eddy, son of Selwyn and Cornelia (Hall) Eddy, was born in Alpena, Mich., and raised at Bay City. After graduating from Yale Univ., he went to work in the lumber business of Eddy Bros. & Co. In 1900 he married Nellie J. Fisher, daughter of Spencer O. and Kate (Crane) Fisher. He then moved to California to work at the Pacific Lumber Co., near San Franciso.

-- Mr. Marsh was princile of Eastern High School in Bay City, MI. He was born near Pittsburg, PA, two years later his family moved to Bloomfield, IL, where he grew up. He received his teacher's education at the Univ. of Michigan, and lived in Jackson after leaving Bay City. His spouse name is unknown.

Heritage Library/ {View]May 4, 2011Biography: James Madison Johnston (1833-?).-- Mr. Johnston, a civil engineer and surveyor in Bay City, Mich., was born in Wisconsin, and was raised in Green Bay. He moved to Bay City about 1853, where he worked initially for his cousin, James Watson, and later was civil engineer with Bay County and Bay City. He was married twice: Hannah Reed and Martha Starke.

Heritage Library/ {View]May 2, 2011Hisory: B.F. Partridge Mill and Henry M. Campbell.-- Benjamin F. Partridge built a saw mill along the Sagianw River, near 26th street in Bay City, MI. The mill change ownership several timess until it was destroyed by fire in 1868. Later, Seth McLean & Sons erected a new mill at that site which operated by Henry M. Campbell, a partner in this business.

Heritage Library/ {View]May 2, 2011Hisory: The Carrier & Co., and Edwin G. Carrier-- Mr. Carrier was born in 1839, Penn., and where he married Catherine Robinson before moving to Bay City. In 1867 he partnered with John Heath and built a saw mill in Essexville.

Heritage Library/ {View]May 1, 2011Biography: Hon. John Welch (1825-1898).-- Mr. Welch, was former mayor of Saginaw, Mich., and State senator. He was born at Augusta, Maine, where he was raised on a farm. Later he was a sailor and worked in lumber, before coming to Michigan, with stays in Muskegon, Whitehall and Saginaw before taking up residence in West Bay City, where he owned the former Drake Bros mill.

Heritage Library/ {View]May 1, 2011Lumbering: The Drake Bros Mill.-- The Drake Bros mill was built in 1851, on 40 acres of land on the west side of Bay City. The mill included a burial grounds, which evolved to become the present Oak Ridge Cemetery. One of the owners in later years was the Hon. John Welch, a former mayor of Saginaw and State senator.

Heritage Library/ {View]April 29, 2011Bio.: Capt. Alexander Johnson (1856-?)-- Capt. Johnson, was born in Moore, Ont., Canada, and began sailing the Great Lakes at a young age, working his way up to Captain of various vessels. He married Nettie S. Neal at West Bay City, Mich., where they resided with their son Frank.

Heritage Library/ {View]April 28, 2011Bio.: Henry Lindner (1841-97)-- Mr. Lindner, lawyer in Bay City, MIch., and veteran of the Civil War, was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America in 1856. He first occupation was farming, afterwards a sailor, then he studied to become a lawyer gettig his degree from the University of Michigan in 1878. He married Lydia Shilling at Sebewaaign in 1865.

Heritage Library/ {View]April 28, 2011Bio.: Edward W. Porter (1851-?)-- Mr. Porter, lawyer in Bay City, MIch., was born in Lapeer Co., Mich. He was a graduate of HIllsdale College, and completed his law degree at the University of Michigan. He was married in Oakland Co., to Alma K. Welsh.

Heritage Library/ {View]April 27, 2011Bio.: John G. Arnold (1862-1947)-- John G., the son of Frederick and Louise (Miller) Arnold, was born in Bay City. His father started the first bakery in Bay City, which John G. and his brother, Godfrey, took over when his father retired. John married Minnie Hoffman, of Bay Cty.

--Mr. Armstrong, an actor, was born in Saginaw, MI. He is best remembered for his role in the 1933 movie "King Kong." His first job was as shipmate working with his father, Williiam, in a boat line business started by his grandfather, Richard. The business declined as railroads expanded, and he move to Seattle, WA with his parents, where he entered college to become a lawyer, whiich he aborted in favor of a job with his uncle Paul, a playwright in New York City. This eventually led to his career in Hollywood.

Heritage Library/ {View]April 23, 2011Bio.: Paul Armstrong (1869-1915)>--Mr. Armstrong was a well known playwright in New York City. He was born in Kidder, MO, but grew up in Bay City where his parents, Richard and Harriet (Scott) Armstrong settled a few years after his birth. He worked initially for his father who owned a fleet of vessels. Desiring a career in writing he accepted a news reporter job in Chicago before entering the theater business as a playwright.

-- Mr. Corliss was born in Albany, N.Y. After moving to Bay City, he worked in the newspaper business for a number of years, before becoming City Treasure. He was on the board of directors for the Saving Building and Lone Association. He married Ann M. Smith, of Albany.

-- Mr. Rowden was born in Devonshire, England, and came to Williams Twp., Mich. with his parents, in 1854, where they farmed. In 1862, John C. enlisted in the 23d Mich. Infantry, and would twice. Returning Auburn he became postmaster, representative of this district, and had his own law business. He was married twice, first to Alice Moore,then Selina Gilbert.

Heritage Library/ {View]April 16, 2011Bio.: Capt. Charles M. Averell (1824-89)-- Capt. Averell was born in Philadelphia, PA, and was raised in Buffalo, when became a sailor and owner of the ship Montezuma. He came to Bay City in 1859, continuing in vessel business, then real estate. He build two business blocks, and was married to Agnes L. Humphrey.

-- Mr. Smith was born in Scotland, and immigrated to Canada with his parents. He came to Michigan settling at Port Huron where he married Sarah Cross. They then moved to St. Clair, and aftward to West Bay city, where Peter was in the lumering business.

-- Mr. Emery was born in Orono, Maine, and came to Bangor Twp., Bay Co., Mich., in 1864, where owned a farm and worked at the H.W. Sage mill. Later he and his brother John G. started their own mill, include on at East Tawas. Hiram was married to Eunice Anderson.

-- Mr. Van Liew was born at Ovid, Seneca Co., NY, and came to West Bay City with is wife, Laura Leonard, in 1866. An engineer, he began work with the Sage & McGraw mill, then with the railroad, before be employed as city engineer and recorder.

-- Mr. Gaffney was born in Ireland. In 1856 he came to Bay County with his parents, settling on a farm in Monitor Twp., where he farmed until of age, when studied law, and later became judge of police court in Bay City. He was married to Catherine Conroy.

-- Mr. Fay, a native of Hamilton, Madison Co., NY, came to Lower Saginaw (Bay City) in 1854, where he engaged in lumbering and mercantile businesses. He held the position of village president and mayor of Bay City. He was married to Arvilla E. Cushman.

-- Mr. Knoblauch who owned the West Bay City Brewery was born in Germany, and came to America when 21 years, settling at Cincinnati, OH, where he married Mary K. Geuthlein. Knoblauch own large parcels of land in the towships of Kawkawlin and Fraser.

Heritage Library/ {View}March 23, 2011Bio.: Richard L. Richardson (1841-1902)Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Mr. Richardson was born in Akron, Ohio. He served in the Civil War, and was severely wounded leaving him disabled. Afterward he settled in West Bay City. He married Martha Lillbridge.

-- The Hon. Wheeler was born in Lapeer Co., Mich. After service in the Civil War, he came to Bay City and studied law under Judge Isaac Marton. Subequently, he served as a representative from Bay Co., and later was Circuit Court Judice of the Nineteenth District. He married Jane B. Toncrey, of Tuscola Co.

Heritage/Writings/ {View}March 21, 2011Bio.: Nathaniel N. Murphy (1842-1922)Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Mr. Murphy, a Civil War veteran, was born in Dexter, Johnston Co., NY. He came to Bay City in 1877, where he worked his way up to chief of police during raucous days lumbering. He married twice, Laura ? and Zora Green.

-- Mr. Pomeroy, born in Ohio, came to Bay City at the age of two years. His father, William, was among the earlist settlers here. Charles, in partnership with Charles C. Whitney owner a cracker manufacturing business, later he established on on his own in Saginaw. He married Mary L. Yale.

-- Mr. Frost was born in Corruna, Mich. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he entered the teaching professsion, and was a high school principle in Owosso and West Bay City. He married Orpha Babcock.

Heritage Library/Writings/ {View}March 18, 2011Bio.: Charles T. Clark (1871-1941)-- Mr. Clark was born in Cedarville, N.J. He was an engineering graduate of Lafayette Collect in Easton, PA, and work for a number of chemical companies until 1909, when he was hired by the E.I. Dupont company, at which time he moved to Bay City. He was married in 1902 to Mary L. Foster.

Heritage Library/Writings/ {View}March 16, 2011Bio.: Frederick Derr (1804-1887)-- Mr. Derr, a native of Penn., was one of the first settlers of what is now Bay City. He was a carpenter and worked with Cromwell Barney in building the Globe Hotel, and owned coffee mill. He married Elizabeth M. Clark, a teacher, that died a year later. She was the settlements second death and was buried at Potters' Field, once located north east of Columbus and Washington avenues.

-- Mr. Kingston, born in Canton, N.Y., made a career in the field of education. After attending St. Laurence Univ., and Univ. of Michigan, one of his first positions was principal of Eastern High School in Bay City. He later moved spokane where he was a professor of mathematics and history at Eastern Washington Univ.

-- Mr. Washington was born in Ireland and came to Bay City by way of Canada, settling in the village of Wenonah. He was mayor of West Bay City, Bay County Sheriff and owner of the Bay City Democrat newspaper. He also operated a millinery shop with his wife Adeline Campbell and daughter Mary.

Heritage Library/Writings/ {View}March 14, 2011Bio.: James Campbell (1839-1891-- Mr. Campbell, native of Rochester, NY, came by the way of Canada to Bay City in 1865, where he engaged in lumbering, and later was prominent in several local businesses, including a hotel in West Branch. He married Bridget Brophy of Ontario in 1863.

-- Mr. Handy was born in Decatur, IL, and came to Bay City at a young age, and where he engaged in a box factory, which he operated with his brothers under the name Handy Bros. Co. Later he entered the coal mining business and railroad businesses. He married Harriet Emery, daughter of Hiram and Ernice (Anderson) Emery.

Heritage Library/Writings/ {View}March 2, 2011History: Henry H. Alvord (1830-?)-- Mr. Alvord, a native of N.Y., came to Bay City some time before 1854, when that year he married Marcia Putnam. He worked in a local shipyard, and later was depty U.S. Marshal. He served with the 102d U.s. Colored Troops during the Civil War and was wounded in the battle at Honey Hill, S.C.

Heritage Library/ {View}March 1, 2011Bio.: William Morin (1840-?)-- Mr. Morin was owner of the Morin House (hotel) on Washington Ave., in Bay City. He was born in Quebec, Canada, from which he departed to Maine and served in the Civil War. In 1867 he moved to Bay City, where he met and married Grace St. Lawrence in 1868.

Heritage Libary/ {View}February 28, 2011:Bio.: Hon. Henry Hayden (1819-1885)-- Mr. Hayden was one of Bay County's early representatives to the Michigan House. He was born in Essex, Conn., and in 855 came to Bay City, where he established the Hayden Salt Co., later it was sold to A. Stevens Co. No marriage found.

Pictorials/Sports/ {View}February 22, 2011:Bio.: Joshua J. Royce (1845-1930)Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. -- Mr. Royce was born in New York, and served in the Civil War with the 93d N.Y. Volunteers. Afterwards he move to West Bay City, MI, where he work in F.W. Wheeler's shipyard as a painter. He was married twice: Julia Reynolds and Frankie Deans. Burial at Pine Ridge Cemetery.

Heritage Library/ {View}January 30, 2011:Bio.: Samuel Drake (1822-?)-- Samuel Drake was born in Scotland, and emigrated to Canada before settling in Bay City, where he and his brother John established a saw mill on the west side of the river about 1851. They were also the founders of the present Oak Ridge Cemetery. Samuel married Elizabeth Gustin, of Canada.

Heritage Library / {View}January 9, 2011:Bio.: John H. Plum (1839-?)-- Mr. Plum was a native of New York, and came to Flint, Mich., with his parent at a young age. In 1864 he moved to the new settlement of Wenona (now part of Bay City), where he became manager of the company store owned by the Sage & McGraw Mill. He was one of the elders of the West Minister Presbyterian Church. He married Marian Knickerbocker, of Oakland Co.

Heritage Library/ {View}January 1, 2011:Bay City History as of 1911.-- Looking back a century ago in an article written in 1911 describing the city's history, from villages to an industrialized city. Includes population data up to 1910, at which time the city had over 45,000 people.